What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is the term that describes higher-than-normal blood glucose levels; however, it is not high enough to be called diabetes. The condition is also known as impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance. Both adults and children are at risk of developing prediabetes due to bad lifestyle habits.
Symptoms of prediabetes
In terms of its diagnosis, it can be challenging to know if prediabetes already exists because of the absence of symptoms. Not everyone experiences signs or symptoms of this condition. However, we listed some of the most common symptoms.
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Weakness or fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Numbness on some body parts
- Slow-healing wounds
- Tiredness
If you notice, most of the symptoms of prediabetes are common in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This explains the susceptibility to developing T2D from prediabetes.
In addition to the symptoms mentioned, darkened skin is one of the primary and most acknowledged signs of prediabetes. It usually develops on the neck, groin, and armpits. If you happen to experience this phenomenon, ensure you get your blood sugar levels checked.
How to prevent prediabetes?
Making positive lifestyle changes is the best approach to preventing borderline diabetes. Part of it is weight management, which can play a key role in preventing type 2 diabetes.
Here are some ways to prevent prediabetes.
Observe a healthy, balanced diet.
A healthy diet is not just about following a certain meal plan every day. It also involves consuming the right type of nutritious foods capable of preventing diseases. For blood sugar regulation, eating fiber-rich foods is the best option. The best examples are fruits, green leafy and non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and seeds.
The main goal is to limit carbohydrate intake that can severely impact blood sugar levels. Additionally, avoiding sugary beverages can prevent blood sugar spikes.
Exercise often.
Besides keeping us fit and robust, exercising can prevent the development of many illness. One of them is prediabetes, which can advance to T2D and more complications.
Doctors recommend a daily walk for 30 minutes to 1 hour. For first-timers, start with less time and keep increasing the time based on your body’s capacity. Besides walking, you can do other physical activities, such as running, swimming, cycling, aerobic dance, team sports, weightlifting, Pilates, and resistance band exercises.
Quit bad addictions.
Addiction in any form, such as smoking or alcohol, can lead to many health disasters. One of these disasters is prediabetes. If you smoke, consider quitting. If you drink a lot, limit your intake. Smoking and drinking excessively can damage the body organs responsible for regulating blood sugar.
Visit your doctor regularly.
Frequent visits to the doctor help in preventing prediabetes. However, if you have already been diagnosed with the condition, you need to check your blood pressure and cholesterol. Having them on the higher side can be dangerous in the long run. Additionally, taking medications can reverse prediabetes. The most common prediabetes medication is Metformin (Glucophage).
